out of business
Clayton’s Whitebox Eatery has closed abruptly after about four years in business. The restaurant opened in late summer 2014, and its last day of service was in early September. A sign on the door said the venue had shut down and, beyond that, the owners weren’t commenting. However, former catering director Courtney Curtwright and former general manager Jen Sanders did say they’ve started a new company called White Box Catering at Coronado Place & Towers, 3701 Lindell Blvd., which will offer the same menu items as the former restaurant.
surf and turf
The Central West End has welcomed a new ‘sea and spirits’ restaurant, Yellowbelly, the brainchild of Tim Wiggins and Travis Howard behind Retreat Gastropub). The menu, developed by celebrity chef, restaurateur and Top Chef All-Stars alum Richard Blais, features island-inspired cuisine and a bar that is heavy on the rum. Menu items include a seasonal avocado toast with mango yolk, bone-in tuna chop, crab fritters and sea biscuits. The restaurant is at 4659 Lindell Blvd., and executive chef is St. Louis native Jason Gethin.
cutting losses
Despite a recent effort to extend service times and offer more menu choices, Privado, a fine-dining establishment in The Loop, has closed. The experimental, multicourse eatery opened at 6665 Delmar Blvd. last October with service only on weekends. Chef-owner Mike Randolph cited lack of profit; he also owns Half & Half and Publico.
now open
Fans of Italian food have a new venue to try with the opening of Nana Mama’s Pizza in Creve Coeur. The restaurant at 624 N. New Ballas Road is in the former Fortel’s space and serves more than just pies. Other menu items include salads, sandwiches and hot wings, to name a few. In other news, Sugarfire Smokehouse has ventured south of St. Louis with a new location in Cape Girardeau at 118 Siemers Drive. It’s the chain’s 11th eatery.
